Bellator Featherweight Tourney Complete, Promises to Entertain

With the addition of 17-2 submission ace Eric Marriott announced earlier today, Bellator and CEO Bjorn Rebney have finished their recruitment of fighters and is expected to soon announce the match-ups for their upcoming Featherweight tournament this summer.

Rebney has meticulously, yet quietly, put together a very nice pool of young talent, which is expected to live up to every bit of the hype Bellator has received in recent months. Relatively new to the MMA market, Bellator has quickly risen up through the ranks, thanks in part to their spectacular first season that saw slick submissions, crisp punches, and a whole new breed of fighting.

“What you’ll see is much of the same," said Rebney of season two which airs this April, and will run for 12 weeks.

Marriott, meanwhile, will certainly have his hands full with plenty of other competitors who boast records much like his over stiff competition. The tournament includes the likes of Wilson Reis (9-1), Shad Lierley (5-2), Bao Quach (17-9-1), Patricio "Pitbull" Freire (12-0), Georgi "Insane" Karakhanyan (12-1-1), William Romero (5-0), and Joe Warren (2-1). To say that this tournament will be stacked is an understatement.

Yet, Rebney has gone about his business as usual, making sure to build up his organization without putting down others. It will be tough to maintain this underdog status for much longer though, as it seems with all of the television deals Rebney has in place that PPV is right around the corner.

"Happy right now on TV, but obviously the dynamics in this business require that you get to PPV."

As the time for Bellator's second season grows nearer, the hype continues to build. Will it live up to the first season's flashy finish? Only time can tell. One thing is for sure, however; Bellator is here to stay.